The meeting will take place in the Palace of Independence in downtown Minsk.
We are planning to cover the meeting extensively on the RFE/RL's Belarusian-language website, on this English-language page, as well as in Facebook and Twitter.
The Palace of independence, inaugurated in October 2013, is a “new symbol of Belarusian statehood”, according to Belarus's official media.
In October 2013, on the eve of a meeting with heads of other post-Soviet countries Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka planted the first trees at the Honored Guests Alley near the palace. This, according to his order, will be done every time foreign heads of state and other dignitaries visit the Palace of Independence.
Some independent media journalists in the past showed less respect toward this symbol of Belarusian statehood and were quick to compare it with Soviet-time examples of official architecture as well as with newer architectural achievements in some Central Asian states.
Judge for yourselves:
